Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Emotionally Focused Therapy on Reducing Marital Problems

Marital problems and conflicts among couples have made it necessary to consider some interventions before the crisis condition. In the realm of family psychology and counseling, different couples-therapy approaches have been shaped in order to reduce conflicts and messiness in couple's relationship. The aim of the present study was to meta-analyze the studies done on the effectiveness of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) on reducing marital problems. The present descriptive stusy applied meta-analysis; therefore, data was collected using internal and external databases about all research reports published from 2006 to 2016 which had evaluated Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT). Among the total of 33 research reports collected, 10 methodologically acceptable reports which contained appropriate statistical information for a meta-analysis were selected. A meta-analysis checklist was used to organize data. Data collected from these 10 research reports was object to meta-analysis using Schmidt & Hans effect size combination method, and then interpreted using Cohen's table. Statistic analysis was done by 2nd version of comprehensive meta-analysis software. The study results, using incorporation of effect size by Schmitt and Hunts method, indicated that EFCT may be effective in reducing couples problems. Results displayed that the total average effect size for all analyzed research reports about the effectiveness of EFCT for reducing couples problems was 1.31 for fixed model of effect size and 1.39 for the random effects model, which were significant in both levels (P<0.0001). The EFCT effect size for reducing couples problems was interpreted as high according to Cohen's table. The meta-analysis conducted in this study revealed that EFCT interventions were highly effective in reducing couples problems. This demonstrates the importance of using this approach in therapeutic planning and clinical interventions regarding couple issues.